text: Industrial science attempts to minimize the hazards of isocyanates through multiple techniques.  The EPA has sponsored ongoing research on polyurethane production without isocyanates.   Where isocyanates are unavoidable but interchangeable, substituting a less hazardous isocyanate may control hazards.  Ventilation and automation can also minimizes worker exposure to the isocyanates used.  
  If human workers must enter isocyanate-contaminated regions, personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce their intake.  In general, workers wear eye protection and gloves and coveralls to reduce dermal exposure  For some autobody paint and clear-coat spraying applications, a full-face mask is required. 
  The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires frequent training to ensure isocyanate hazards are appropriately minimized.  Moreover, OSHA requires standardized isocyanate concentration measurements to avoid violating occupational exposure limits. In the case of MDI, OSHA expects sampling with glass-fiber filters at standard air flow rates, and then liquid chromatography.
  Combined industrial hygiene and medical surveillance can significantly reduce occupational asthma incidence.  Biological tests exist to identify isocyanate exposure; the US Navy uses regular pulmonary function testing and screening questionnaires.
  Emergency management is a complex process of preparation and should be considered in a setting where a release of bulk chemicals may threaten the well-being of the public.  In the Bhopal disaster, an uncontrolled MIC release killed thousands, affected hundreds of thousands more, and spurred the development of modern disaster preparation.